The TCU coach, who went on a rant after a 40-33 overtime loss to SMU last
season, all but apologized for his antics as he prepared for the rematch with
the Mustangs.

“If I was going to do the press conference over again last year, what I would
tell you after watching film is SMU kicked our butts. Both sides of the ball,”
Patterson said.

Last season, Patterson was not in a good mood. In addition to being upset
with the officiating crew from Conference USA, he said he was upset with SMU’s
attitude and he did not expect to help the Mustangs in the future.

“We’re going to go on about our business, but they’re not going to get the
same help anymore — not about a ballgame, not about conferences, not about
anybody. They’re getting no help from Gary Patterson, period,” he said after the
loss. “To be honest with you, a lot of old alumni remember SMU people who looked
down on TCU for a long time. I didn’t have that feeling, but I’m getting
it.”

Patterson said he has since spoken with SMU coach June Jones and smoothed
things out.

“I apologized to June Jones, but I can just call him on the phone, I don’t
have to do it in front of a camera,” Patterson said. “If I’m going to be the
person I’m going to be and I’m going to teach young people, I have to act right,
too. It’s as simple as that.”

Asked Tuesday if the coaches had worked things out, Jones said, “Yeah we did.
We played golf out at Pebble Beach in May. Gary’s a great guy, a great coach.
It’s frustrating when you lose, and they haven’t lost many games over
there.”

Patterson said he believes the relationship with SMU will continue to be a
strong one.

“In this world, wins and losses is what keep our jobs, but in the end it’s
what kind of person you are,” Patterson said. “For us, there are a lot of Dallas
and SMU people that have been good to us here.”

That said, he was adamant that the game last season was poorly officiated by
a Conference USA crew.

“One thing I wouldn’t take back is the officiating,” he said. “After that
whole situation, I don’t think I ever got an apology [from the officials]. We
will leave it at that.”

The game at 6 p.m., Saturday at Ford Field will be officiated by a Big 12
crew.

Cowboys Classic game official: TCU confirmed Tuesday that
it will play LSU on Aug. 31. 2013, in the season-opening Cowboys Classic at
Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The game will be televised on one of the ABC networks (ESPN, ABC or
ESPN2).

The Cowboys Classic is an annual agreement between ESPN and the Cowboys to
bring a top college football game to Cowboys Stadium each Labor Day weekend.
TCU-LSU will mark the fifth game.

LSU leads the series, 5-2-1.

Boyce ready to move on: TCU receiver Josh Boyce last week
became the all-time school leader in touchdown receptions with 18, and he said
now he’s happy and ready to move forward.

“I feel good. I’m glad it’s over with,” the junior said. “I wasn’t really
thinking about it, but it’s in the back of your head when you play. I’m glad
it’s over.”

Boyce said he has been happy with the balance of the receivers, and added
that sophomore Brandon Carter, who has back-to-back 100 yard games, has opened
things up for everyone.

“Brandon is great,” Boyce said. “He takes a lot of pressure off me and
[quarterback] Casey Pachall. He beats the 1-on-1 coverage every time.”

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